Boardman ADV 8.9 Gearing: Compare the 48/32 and 46/30 Chainsets
Boardman ADV 8.9 gearing differs between the two inspected catalogue entries, which show different chainsets without either being a specification for every ADV. Entry 2332 lists 48/32 teeth at the front, while entry 2403 lists 46/30. Both inspected entries pair those rings with an 11–36 cassette. The difference in their lowest gears therefore comes from the inner chainring in this comparison.
Boardman ADV 8.9 gearing in two catalogue entries
| Manufacturer entry | Chainset | Cassette | Lowest ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2332, ADV 8.9 | 48/32 | 11–36 | 32 ÷ 36 ≈ 0.889 |
| 2403, ADV 8.9 Black | 46/30 | 11–36 | 30 ÷ 36 ≈ 0.833 |
Holding effective wheel size constant, the second ratio is 6.25% lower. That follows from comparing 30/36 with 32/36; it is not a measured reduction in effort or an estimate of how much faster a rider will climb.
The page numbered 2332 has “2021” in its address. The catalogue identifiers help keep the two records distinct even when a search result shows only the shared ADV 8.9 name. They should not be replaced by an assumed specification based on a seller’s short title.
What changes at the other end?
The outer chainring is smaller in the second entry too. With the same smallest rear sprocket, a smaller outer ring produces a lower highest ratio. That illustrates the useful trade-off in a gearing comparison: examine both ends rather than describing a change only as an improvement.
For a rider choosing between complete bicycles, the relevant question is which range suits the intended routes and preferred cadence. That decision can be made without a universal claim that one set of tooth counts is better for every cyclist. Actual wheel and tyre size also matter if the comparison moves from ratios to distance travelled.
The Boardman brand overview explains why adventure riding is a separate strand of the range. Within that strand, these two specific catalogue records show why the individual build still matters.
Check the bicycle you are considering
On a used or previously serviced example, ask which chainset and cassette are fitted now. If either has changed, the table may still describe the original catalogue but no longer describes the actual gearing. Read the markings and establish the current combination before comparing it with another bicycle.
A comparison of complete builds is not a chainring-conversion instruction. It does not establish which rings fit a particular crank, whether a front derailleur supports a change or whether the chain and other parts can be retained. Those questions require the exact component specifications.
Keep the verified tooth counts with the relevant model page in your notes. Other guides in the Boardman topic cover different aspects of the catalogue, while the ratio calculation here remains transparent and easy to repeat for another confirmed build.
FAQ
Do these two entries have different largest cassette sprockets?
No. Both inspected specifications list 36 teeth at the largest rear sprocket. Their different inner chainrings explain the lowest-ratio difference calculated here.
Does 6.25% lower mean every climb needs 6.25% less effort?
No. It describes a ratio comparison with the same effective wheel size, not a rider-performance or power measurement.
Will a 46/30 chainset automatically fit an older ADV?
No such compatibility is established by comparing catalogue builds. Identify the actual crank, frame and other drivetrain components before considering a change.
Primary references: manufacturer reference 1 (https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/products/2332-adv-8.9-2021.html); manufacturer reference 2 (https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/products/2403-adv-8.9.html).
Photograph credits and permissions
Photograph 1
Original title: My Boardman Bike
Creator: Peter C; creator URI: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pmcowley
Original source URI: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pmcowley/3306171226/
License / permission: CC BY 2.0
License / permission URI: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
Modification notice: Original JPEG bytes unchanged.